Can You Directly Add Water to Windshield Washer Fluid?

[DeJustin]

You cannot directly add water to windshield washer fluid. It is not recommended to use plain tap water as a substitute for washer fluid, because regular tap water contains numerous impurities. Prolonged use will cause these impurities to accumulate in the rubber tubing, affecting normal spray function. Additionally, plain water can only superficially clean dust and lacks the capability to thoroughly remove stubborn dirt or insect residue from windshields. Relevant information about automotive windshield washer fluid is as follows: 1. Washer fluid is primarily composed of water, alcohol, ethylene glycol, corrosion inhibitors, and various surfactants. Due to common manufacturing processes and materials, some inferior products may appear on the market. When purchasing, shake the bottle vigorously—the more foam it produces, the higher the surfactant content. Finer foam indicates more environmentally friendly anionic surfactants. 2. Generally, windshield washer fluids on the market fall into three categories: The first is summer-use fluid, which incorporates insect-removing agents to quickly eliminate insect residue on windshields. The second is winter-use antifreeze fluid, ensuring no freezing or damage to vehicle components even at temperatures below -20°C. The third is special antifreeze fluid, which remains unfrozen at -40°C, making it suitable for extremely cold regions in northern China.